Have you bought a new HP, Lenovo, Dell, Acer, Toshiba, or Asus laptop preinstalled with Windows 10? Not sure how to set up Windows 10 on your new PC? In this article, we will see how to set up a new Windows 10 device.
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When you turn on your new Windows 10 PC, you will not be taken to the lock, login screen or the familiar desktop. In order to begin using your new PC, you will need to configure a bunch of settings and need to use a Microsoft account or create a local user account.
Set up a new Windows 10 laptop or notebook
Follow the given below directions to set up Windows 10 on a new PC.
Step 1: Install the bundled battery in its compartment and connect your new PC to a power source. If you’re not sure how to install the battery, please refer to the user manual of your laptop.
Step 2: Turn on your PC by pressing the power key on the laptop. In a few seconds, you will see a black screen with Windows logo at the center of it.
Step 3: The following is the first screen you will see when you turn on a PC pre-installed with Windows 10 operating system. Select your country/region, app language, keyboard layout, and time zone before clicking the Next button.
Step 4: Next is the legal agreement screen. Read the agreement and then click Accept to continue.
Step 5: At the Let’s get connected screen, you can connect your new Windows 10 PC to one of the available Wi-Fi networks. To connect, click on a Wi-Fi network name and then enter the password.
If you don’t have a Wi-Fi network now, click the Skip this step option. You can connect your PC to Wi-Fi network even after setting up the PC.
Step 6: Next you will see Get going fast screen. Here, we suggest you click the small Customize settings instead of the easily visible Use Express settings button so that you can change various settings related to privacy and personalization settings.
Click Customize settings (located bottom left) link to proceed to the next screen.
Step 7: On the Customize settings screen, carefully read all options and turn off permissions if you’re not comfortable with an option. Check the following picture to see what all options we have turned off on our new Windows 10 PC.
Once done, click Next button.
Step 8: Once again, you will see a few more customization settings. Turn off options that you don’t want to keep turned on before clicking Next button.
Step 9: Change browser, protection, and update settings. Click Next.
Step 10: You will see the Sign in to your Microsoft account screen. If you have a Microsoft account and wish to sign in to Windows 10 using a Microsoft account enter your Microsoft account details and then click Next. However, like many others, if you would like to use a local user account, please click Create a new account link and then click Sign in without a Microsoft account.
Now you can create a new local user account by entering a user name and password (if you wish to use one). Click Next button.
Step 11: You might be asked to register your new Windows 10 PC by providing your first name, last name, email and country/region.
You should see your Windows 10 desktop in a few minutes.
Activate Windows 10
If you haven’t connected your new PC to the Internet already, please connect to the Internet to activate your copy of Windows 10. Check the activation status of Windows 10 by navigating to Settings > Update & security > Activation. If Windows 10 is not activated yet, click the Activate button.
Install latest Windows updates
Once you are at the Windows 10 desktop, you can begin customizing Windows 10. We suggest you connect your Windows 10 PC to the Internet (if not done while setting up) and install all available updates. To check update status, open Settings and then navigate to Update & security > Windows Update.
If there is an issue with Windows Update, refer to our Windows Update troubleshooter and clear Windows Update cache guides.
Update hardware drivers
By default, Windows 10 automatically downloads and installs latest hardware drivers but it’s a good idea to manually download and install latest drivers. Check the version of a driver and then check the latest available version on manufacturer’s website to confirm that you’ve installed the newest version of the driver.
Uninstall unnecessary pre-installed apps & programs
Most OEMs include a few programs you might not be interested in. For instance, my new HP laptop came with Evernote and a few bundled programs. Refer to how to uninstall programs in Windows 10 guide to remove unwanted programs.
Likewise, in addition to classic programs like Notepad and Paint, Windows 10 includes over two dozens of modern apps. If you want to remove one or more these preinstalled apps, please refer to our how to uninstall default Windows 10 apps guide or 3 free tools to uninstall preinstalled Windows 10 apps article.
Install your favorite programs
Once you have installed all pending updates and removed unwanted programs, it’s time to install your favorite applications. If you feel that installing all applications one after another is a boring job, you can use programs like Ninite to install your favorite free software at once without having to manually download all of them.
Install some apps from Windows Store
Windows Store offers tens of thousands of exciting apps. Open the Store app and you will find some useful apps. Note that in order to install apps (free or paid) from Store, you need to sign in to the Store with a Microsoft account. If you are using a local user account, please refer to our how to install apps from Store without switching to Microsoft account guide to avoid switching your local user account to Microsoft account.
Customize Windows 10
Last but not least, customize Windows 10 to your desire. Go through our how to change Windows 10 desktop background, change taskbar background, make Start menu transparent, and 13 ways to customize the taskbar to begin customizing Windows 10.
If you love customizing Windows, don’t forget to check out Windows 10 customization section to see 50+ guides on Windows 10 customization.
Contact Microsoft support for issues
If you encounter any issues while using Windows 10, use the built-in Contact support app to chat with Microsoft support team or schedule a call back.
Have fun with Windows 10!
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I own a six-year-old ThinkPad T420 laptop which I use to keep a backup of data from other computers. Although the machine works flawlessly even today, it’s a bit (naturally) slower compared to my three-year-old ThinkPad T450s which is my daily driver.
About four years ago, I upgraded the default HDD to SSD as an effort to make it a bit faster. A few days ago, I decided to upgrade its default 4 GB RAM to 8 GB RAM (I know I should have done it while upgrading to SSD only).
Before buying another 4 GB RAM stick, I wanted to make sure that it has an empty RAM slot.
While it’s easy to open the ThinkPad laptop and check the number of slots as well as available free slots, you can check the same without dismantling your laptop. You can use software to figure out the number of RAM slots on your PC and check if there are empty slots.
There are third-party utilities available like CPU-Z to check the number of RAM slots and empty slots. These third-party utilities provide in-depth information about your PC’s hardware.
Windows 10 users will be pleased to know that you don’t need to a third-party program to check the number of RAM slots and empty slots on your computer. Windows 10 now displays the total number of RAM slots on your computer as well as available empty slots in the Task Manager.
Check if there is an empty RAM slot on your Windows 10 laptop
Here is how to check the number of RAM slots and empty slots on your Windows 10 computer.
Step 1: Open the Task Manager. There are numerous ways out there to open the Task Manager. The easiest way is to simultaneously press Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys.
Step 2: If you get the small version of the Task Manager, click on the More details button to open the full-version.
Step 3: Switch to the Performance tab. On the left-side, click on Memory.
Step 4: Now, on the right-side, you will see details about the RAM, including details about the total number of RAM slots on your computer and number of slots currently being used.
As you can see in the picture above, my ThinkPad T450s has a total of two RAM slots, and both are currently occupied. This means that the laptop currently doesn’t have space for an additional RAM stick. If I need to increase the RAM, I will have to replace my existing RAM sticks with higher ones (replace 4 GB sticks with 8 GB to make the total to 16 GB).
How to check if your Windows 10 PC has SSD guide might also interest you.
Internet services usually collect all our personal details while we browse, this is where we need a VPN. Every time we use a free public WiFi hotspot connection, all our data is in danger of getting snipped. If you are an avid internet user and concerned about your privacy online, employing a free VPN software is a better option as compared to a Proxy software. Virtual Private Network securely connects your PC to various location worldwide and helps you with remote desktop access, files and folder sharing, and so on.
VPN software gives you a protected internet access by adding security to your public as well as private networks, may it be your internet connection or a Wi-Fi Hotspot connection. In other words, it hides and protects your identity online. While a VPN can’t make online connections completely unidentified or anonymous, but can certainly increase security and privacy.
It is now time to use a VPN software also for Security & Privacy. Here is a list of best free VPN software & service providers for Windows 10/8/7 computers. Browse anonymously and protect your Internet connection at all times. Do note that most of them also offer a paid version that gives you faster speed and unlock additional features.
Free VPN software for Windows
Read: What is a VPN, and Why should we use a VPN?
1. TunnelBear VPN
TunnelBear a simple VPN software with no complex installation process or crapware. Like most of the other VPN agents mentioned above, TunnelBear also creates a virtual network adapter used to route your internet traffic to its servers in Germany, UK, France, the United States and a couple of other countries. The program comes in both free and paid version. TunnelBear blocks all tracking websites and lets you browse freely without the fear of getting tracked or hacked. This one is worth checking out!
2. Avira Phantom VPN
This free VPN service provides a secure, encrypted and anonymous access to the internet on your Windows PC as well as your Android devices. It encrypts the entire communication between your Windows PC and the network and ensures your online privacy. It is one of the most trusted VPN when it is about the financial transactions done on a shared network. It ensures that none of your online activities are tracked by the 3rd parties. Like most of the VPN software, Avira Phantom VPN also lets you change your IP address and access the websites restricted in your area. Avira Phantom VPN is a lightweight file and gets installed on your PC easily.
3. Globus Free VPN Browser
Globus Free VPN masks your IP address and allows you to access to any restricted website. It comes as a package which includes a VPS agent and a browser. When you download and install the VPN agent, the browser automatically installs and gets pinned to your taskbar. It anonymously encrypts the entire traffic.The VPN agent gives you IP of UK by default along with a list of IP addresses you can select from. This free VPN agent is easy to use and provides full tracking and protection against data acquisition.
4. Betternet VPN
Easy to use this simple VPN software comes with a one-button activation and is surely one of the best free VPN agents available. Betternet comes in both free as well as paid version where the premium version includes some extra safety features. Designed for both PCs and Smartphones, Betternet requires no subscription. It hides your IP address randomly and let you access the websites restricted in your region. Good speed and ability to avoid cookies are some other features of Betternet VPN.
5. SecurityKiss VPN
This is a simple VPN software with a weird name of course. However, it claims to protect all your personal data from the eavesdroppers. With a very simple installation process, this program brings no crapware or toolbar or hidden add-ons along. While its default server is based in the US, The virtual network created by the free version of SecurityKiss allows you to get an IP of UK, Canada, Germany, or France.
6. Spotflux
Spotflux is a free VPN software which creates an encrypted connection and helps you with safe and uninterrupted web browsing transferring your data. The program not just protects your data from the hackers but also prevents the internet agencies from tracking your online activities by providing the random DNS address and IP addresses. Furthermore, Spotflux also scans and removes malware from your incoming connections.
7. Neorouter VPN
This is a free zero-configuration VPN solution for your PC. It supports various platforms including Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, iOS and more. Neorouter comes with a P2P support (peer-to-peer connection between computers), portable client setup and remote wakeup (wake up your PC when connected to a network). The secured network protects your internet traffic on shared connections and helps you sharing files and folder with your friends and play network games.
8. Hotspot Shield VPN
With Hotspot Shield installed on your PC, you can browse safely even at public WiFi hotspots. It provides complete anonymity as well as proxy adding more to your security online. While this software makes some changes to your homepage and also installs some toolbars forcefully, it is effective when it is about your online privacy and anonymity. The virtual tunnel of Hotspot Shield lets you hide your IP and select any one from the drop down list which includes UK, Japan, Australia and the US. The connection with this VPN might drop during heavy traffic hours.
TIP: Download this VPN to give your Windows the Ultimate Privacy Shield.
9. Hola Unblocker Free VPN
This is a simple tool which lets you bypass the restrictions and browse any website blocked in your region. Unlike the other VPN agents in the list above, Hola Unblocker features a tool named Internet Accelerator which accelerates your internet speed and also reduces the bandwidth usage. It is an easily and faster alternative to proxy to hide your IP address and browse safely.
10. CyberGhost Secure VPN
Available in free as well as premium versions, CyberGhost is one of the best free VPN solutions for your Windows PC. It is an easy-to-use personal VPN service which hides all your common internet activities and your identity from the hackers. CyberGhost Secure VPN also lets you spoof your IP address and stay safe. Other salient features of CyberGhost Secure VPN Free include access to free servers, 1GB traffic/month, limited availability, bandwidth limited to 2 Mbps and a forced disconnection after 6 hours. Their CyberGhost Premium VPN is available at $63 for 18 months for 7 devices resulting in a huge SAVING of 73%! UPDATE: Cyberghost has discontinued the Free version.
Other similar free VPN software you may want to take a look at:
Freelan Open Source VPN software | VPN One Click | Ultrasurf | TOR | Betternet | Jumpto Browser | Hide.Me | strongSwan | Traceless.Me VPN | Psiphon | Windscribe VPN | ProtonVPN | NordVPN | VPNBook.
Let us know if you use any VPN software and if so, which one.
TIP: Download this tool to quickly find & fix Windows errors automatically
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